May 30, 2017
While the general population seems to be divided over their love of licorice, one thing remains for sure: licorice provides a myriad of benefits to the human body. While I personally don’t like the taste of licorice, I’m certainly intrigued by what I’ve been reading regarding its many benefits. Licorice is native to the Mediterranean and is grown in Western and Central Asia as well as Southern Europe.
The Benefits of Licorice
Let’s start with its antibiotic properties. Licorice is helpful in the treatment of H. pylori, the bacterium which is often responsible for peptic ulcers. H. pylori is one of the most destructive bacteria known and is categorized as a Class 1 carcinogen. In addition to peptic ulcers, H. pylori causes gastritis and cancer. The success of licorice lies in its abilities to prevent the bacteria from adhering to the lining of the gastro intestinal tract. Nausea, heartburn, and indigestion are also common issues successfully treated with licorice.
Anti-inflammatory properties are another claim to fame for this perennial herb with blue flowers. Licorice is helpful for hoarseness and sore throat; also for coughs, colds, and wheezing and acts as both a suppressant and an expectorant. It is oftentimes used for constipation, especially as a laxative in children due to its sweet flavor profile.
Furthermore, licorice provides adrenal and estrogenic support due to the many steroid-like chemicals it contains. As an estrogenic support, it helps with sexual issues and uterine problems and for problems with fertility. For adrenal support, licorice acts as an anti-stress herb, helps with inflammation issues such as arthritis and is also helpful with hypoglycemia which is often linked to weak adrenals.
Licorice has also shown promise as an anti-cancer herb, for skin problems, for high blood pressure, for general weakness, hepatitis, and ulcers.
Despite its many benefits, it is important to note that potential problems can arise when consuming too much licorice due to the prevalence of one of the twelve biologically active compounds called glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid is converted to glycyrrhetinic acid in the GI tract. Glycyrrhetinic acid is the metabolite that enters the bloodstream and in excess will cause a person to retain sodium and water and lose potassium causing edema and increased blood pressure. Both ingredients are normally removed from medicine such as cough syrup and from candy so no need to worry about overindulging in your favorite black licorice treat.
If even after all the above-mentioned health benefits, you’re still not inclined to reach for it when you’re fighting a bad cold, please note some people find the taste of fennel more tolerable. The good news is – surprise, surprise – fennel is also good for you! (Some people simply find the taste less overpowering). You can get the anti-inflammatory benefits by brewing a cup of tea containing 1.5 tsps. of fennel seeds.
Fennel is loaded with potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, the B vitamins, and calcium. It also contains iron and magnesium. All the parts of the fennel plant are edible and often provide flavor to other foods. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
References:
Hyla Cass, life-enhancement.com, 2015, Why Your Stomach Will Love Turmeric and Licorice, <<http://www.life-enhancement.com/magazine/article/1695-why-your-stomach-will-love-turmeric-and-licorice>>, Accessed May 10, 2017, Life Enhancement Products, Inc.
Megan Ware, medicalnewstoday.com, 2017, Fennel: Health Benefits and Dietary Tips, <<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284096.php>>, Accessed May 12, 2017, Healthline Media UK Ltd.
Haas, Elson M. with Buck Levin, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, 21st Century Edition: The Complete Guide to Diet & Nutritional Medicine, Berkeley, Celestial Arts, 2006.
